saint of the week

Luminous Mysteries

 

This morning was a crisp winter morning.  I walked briskly as the ground crunched under feet.  Because I had gloves on, I could not quite maneuver a rosary, so I had to make due with my fingers.  No matter.  I was savoring a moment of absolute peace.   I have always been drawn to the rosary.  While praying I find a peace that I can not find anywhere else (especially in my house).  I can see why our Blessed mother has urged us time and time again to pray the rosary for peace.  Peace has to start within us.

 

Today I prayed the Luminous mysteries.  In case you haven't been following along, the Luminous mysteries were instituted by John Paul II. As with all of the mysteries of the rosary, they are reflections on the life of Christ.  In a moment as clear as the winter sky that was above me, these were my thoughts as I prayed:

 

Mystery:  Jesus is baptized. 

When Jesus was baptized God opened the heavens and said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."    I wonder if God would say that about me.  I wonder if he would say that he is "well pleased". 

 

Mystery:  Jesus changes the water into wine at Cana.

The host ran out wine.  Mary asks Jesus to help.  She then looks at the servants and says, "Do whatever he tells you" . . . and they do.   Do I listen?  Am I so busy that I fail to give God some quiet so that He may speak, and I will give Him my undivided attention?

 

Mystery:  Jesus proclaims the gospel.

The Sermon on the Mount is one of the most treasured Gospels.  But I have to wonder if my life is a testament to the Gospel.  Whether I am stuck in traffic, scrubbing the toilet or answering emails does my life bear witness to the Gospel?

 

Mystery:  Jesus institutes the Eucharist.

This is the last supper.  I can see Jesus tenderly lifting the cup.  I can hear him say, "Do this in memory of me."   Wouldn't it be nice to see everyone cherished the receiving of the Eucharist in the same tender way that it was given?

 

Mystery:  Jesus is transfigured.

Jesus was transfigured on the mountain.  He apostles saw him as dazzling.   Do you know anyone who dazzles?  Who truly shines with joy and love?  I think that we see glimmers of it now and then in ourselves and in others.  I think we see glimmers of what God wants his children to become.

 

As bright as a moment of clarity may be it all ends the moment the cell phone rings, as did mine. It was almost as if the prior moments had been only a dream and this, this is what life is.  Truth be told, life is both. Moments of clarity and peace intermixed with a phone blasting "Funky town" and someone calling the wrong number.

 

--
"All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well". St. Julian of Norwich


Jamie Dillon

awesomely powerful video

Check out this powerful video: 

 

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Or

 

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=139f9c4c0036b123ee12

 

--
"All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well". St. Julian of Norwich


Jamie Dillon

saint of the week request

Hi everyone,

Many of you have given positive response to the saint of the week emails.

I am grateful.  Mostly for the opportunity to minister to you in this way.

Some of you have suggested that I put them into a book.  So I am.

I am nearly ready to send it into St. Anthony Messenger.

 

My request is for your prayers.  That God will use these stories in a way that will benefit the greatest good.  Whatever that may be.

 

Thank you,

 

jd

Saint of the Week

Feast of the Holy Family

 

On Easter 2006, my husband converted to Catholicism.  He had gone to mass with me for a decade.  He had sung in the choir and helped with numerous youth ministry tasks.  One day I said to him, "You should just convert."  So, he did.  Dutifully he attended classes.

At long last the Easter Vigil arrived.  Our two children were quite well behaved through the lengthy service.  Maybe it was because we were front and center.  I was proud to be my husband's sponsor as he was confirmed, but it wasn't until communion that it all hit home.  As we sang the Lamb of God, I realized that this was the first time that my husband and I could receive communion together.  My eyes filled with tears.  I squeezed his hand and smiled.  On cue we stood and made our way to the aisle. All eyes were upon us. Sensing my son did not follow, I turned to see him still in the pew.  I motioned for him to come.  He "whispered", "I can't my foot is stuck in the kneeler".  So much for the Hallmark moment!  I  went back and helped him untangle his foot and we moved on.  By then my husband had already received the Eucharist and was back in the pew.

 

Last Sunday we celebrated the Feast of the Holy Family.  I often wonder what life was like for them. I absolutely love the Willow Tree Nativity figures of the Holy Family.  They are faceless but their bodies express pure love and adoration.  Maybe they are faceless because we are supposed to put our faces in there and allow our bodies to express nothing but love and adoration for the Christ child. 

 

This past advent, I had fervently prayed to the Holy Family, for my family.  Exasperated by the daily sibling rivalry, the blow ups, the bills, the pets and the chores; I wanted my family to be more like them.  It seemed that the harder that I prayed, the more things got messed up.  Then I realized something.  God does not want us to be statues.  God wants us to love and adore him whether you are having a Hallmark moment or your foot is stuck in the kneeler.

 

That's what makes a family holy.